Points of Pride
At South Dakota Mines, innovation meets impact. Our community of forward-thinkers is shaping the future with cutting-edge research, hands-on learning, and a commitment to excellence. Here are many reasons why we stand out.
South Dakota Mines is an Academic Powerhouse
- Top-Tier Education: Consistently ranked among the nation’s best engineering schools.
- High ROI: Our grads enjoy top starting salaries, with 97% employed or in grad school within six months.
- Small Classes, Big Opportunities: A 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized mentorship from expert faculty.
We Conduct Research that Matters
- Game-Changing Research: From renewable energy to space exploration, we’re solving global challenges.
- Industry Connections: Our partnerships with leading companies ensure our research is practical and forward-thinking.
- World-Class Facilities: Home to cutting-edge labs and centers like the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).
We Believe Hands-On Learning is the Key to Success
- Real-World Experience: Internships, co-ops, and fieldwork prepare students to hit the ground running.
- Capstone and Senior Design Projects: Senior projects tackle real-world industry challenges.
- Tech-Forward Campus: Students have access to advanced equipment and facilities to fuel innovation.
South Dakota Mines Develops Leaders in Action
- Service and Outreach: Our students give back through thousands of community service hours each year.
- Leadership Development: From student organizations to mentorship programs, we build future leaders.
- Global Reach: Study abroad and international partnerships provide our students with a global edge.
Strong Outcomes
We’re serious about maximizing our students’ return on investment. In fact, for the past four years, College Factual named South Dakota Mines the best engineering school for the money out of 323 similar schools in the U.S. Our graduates work for state agencies, small businesses, and powerhouse companies such as Google, Garmin, Northrop Grumman, Microsoft, NASA, and Amazon.
97% of graduating students were placed in their field in positions across 40 states, Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany with an average starting salary of $73,547.
50% of students complete an internship or co-op and earn on average nearly $10,000 more for their starting salaries than students who did not complete an internship or co-op.
Top Hiring Companies for AY23 Graduates:
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Accolades and Honors
Prestigious Awards
Fulbright Scholars: David LaPorte, 2016; Broc Kokesh, 2018
Goldwater Scholars: Andrew Farke (2003); Jesse Hinricher (2015); William Trevillyan (2018); and William Jackson “Jack” Carpenter (2019)
2x NCAA Google Academic All-American: Justin Barkow (2017 & 2018)
First place in Governor’s Giant Vision Business Competition, Student Division: (2015-2020 & 2022)
South Dakota Mines Professor SD Entrepreneur of the Year (2018)
University Rankings
The Wall Street Journal ranked South Dakota Mines in its 2025 Best Colleges in the United States.
US News and World Report 2025 Best Colleges ranked South Dakota Mines the #10 top regional public university and #16 best college for veterans in the Midwest.
Niche ranked South Dakota Mines in the top 5% of the best small colleges in the nation and #1 in South Dakota in seven categories, including best college, best academics, best professors and best value.
As a College of Distinction, South Dakota Mines received recognition in multiple categories, including engineering, career development, equity and inclusion, and military support. Mines is recognized for its commitment to engaging students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.
South Dakota Mines was ranked in Forbes Top Colleges for 2024, a prestigious list of the top 500 universities in the nation. Forbes continually ranks South Dakota Mines as the South Dakota university with the best return on investment, both for affordability and for the amount of earnings graduates bring in during their careers.
DegreeChoices.com ranked South Dakota Mines as the best university in South Dakota for 2025.
CollegeRaptor named South Dakota Mines as one of its hidden gems of the Plains region.
UniversityHQ ranked South Dakota Mines as #3 overall university in the state to earn a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree.
Research.com ranked South Dakota Mines as the #1 Best Engineering Degree Programs Award in America and the 2024 Most Popular Engineering Degree Programs Ranking in South Dakota.
South Dakota Mines received two top-ranked awards for 2025 from Intelligent.com. The university was ranked #27 in the nation for Best Online Master’s in Construction Management Degree Programs and #29 for Best Master’s in Biomedical Engineering.
Military and Veteran Friendly
Our nation's veterans served our nation with honor, and we work tirelessly to honor their sacrifice. Military Friendly ranks South Dakota Mines third in the United States for veterans while College Factual ranks South Dakota Mines among the top 10% of universities in the nation for veterans. South Dakota Mines has also been ranked the best university in the state for veterans.
Learn more about our Rich and Trudy Wells Veterans Resource Center.
Outstanding Alumni
Our alumni are leaders, innovators, and changemakers making an impact across the globe. From engineering breakthroughs to entrepreneurial ventures, they’re at the forefront of industries like aerospace, energy, technology, and more. With a network spanning top companies and cutting-edge research institutions, South Dakota Mines graduates are driving progress, solving complex challenges, and shaping the future. Their success stories are a testament to the world-class education and hands-on experience they gained here.
Serious About Success. Passionate About Fun.
Campus Points of Interest
Just having people around that you can talk to and always have someone there, I feel like that’s a really cool thing.
Just having people around that you can talk to and always have someone there, I feel like that’s a really cool thing.
Just having people around that you can talk to and always have someone there, I feel like that’s a really cool thing.
